Home Office intends to stick with Europol through Brexit on ‘mission critical’

The decision for the UK to remain a full member of Europol until at least when it leaves the European Union (EU) has been welcomed across the policing to political spectrum.

In the first major opt in/out decision taken by Theresa May’s Government since the shock Brexit outcome of the June referendum, the Home Office has decided to stay with the law enforcement agency amid warnings it runs the risk of losing access to vital intelligence.

The Home Office announcement on Monday (November 14) will now be subject to parliamentary scrutiny, after which the European Commission will be notified of the Government’s intention.

Last month Metropolitan Police Service Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball said access to information in Europe-wide security databases, including Europol, was “mission critical” in fighting terrorism.

She also indicated that citizens in Europe would be at a greater threat from terrorism if Britain failed to work with its allies on the continent after Brexit.

Europol was created in 1998 with stated aims of bringing together criminal intelligence and then sharing information between police and security forces across the EU member states.

Policing Minister Brandon Lewis said he had notified Parliament of the Government’s intention, adding: “The UK is leaving the EU but the reality of cross-border crime remains.

“Europol provides a valuable service to the UK and opting in would enable us to maintain our current access to that agency, until we leave the EU, helping keep the people of Britain safe.

“We now await the outcome of the scrutiny process.”

Europol Director Rob Wainwright tweeted: “UK Government to ‘opt-in’ to new Europol regulation. Good for Britain’s security, great for police cooperation in Europe.”

He added: “Opt-in means UK will remain full member of Europol after revised regulations take effect May 2017 and until Brexit. Important decision.”

Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has previously said that the decision on Europol is “hugely important”.

He said: “If the Government elevates anti-European dogma above what has been proven to keep Britain safe, Theresa May will leave herself open to claims that she has gone soft on the fight against international terrorism and soft on the fight against organised crime.”

Meanwhile the European Commission is considering bringing in a system of electronic travel authorisation, similar to the US ESTA, for Britons travelling to Europe.

Under the new plans, holidaying Brits would not have to get a full visa, but would need to pay to register their travel online before entering any of the 26 countries in the passport-free Schengen zone.

The system is being discussed as it is seen to help identify potential criminals and terrorists who are trying to enter Europe.

EU Commissioner for Security Sir Julian King said the plans would be presented this week.

“We think this is going to be a valuable additional piece of the jigsaw because it will allow us to know more about the people who are planning to come to the EU in advance, so that if necessary they raise questions about their security,” he said.

“We’ll be able to intervene even before they arrive in some cases.”

Because the UK is not part of the Schengen zone, the visa waiver scheme would begin to apply even before Britain leaves the European Union.

It is part of a broader range of measures to boost security amid heightened concerns over terrorism following a number of attacks throughout Europe in the past year, added Sir Julian, who took up his role in September.